ISO alumni coming back for finale of diamond anniversary season

Two former conductors will be joining the International Symphony Orchestra for the finale of its 60th anniversary season.

Jerome David Summers and Brian Jackson will return for the ISO's "60th Celebration," with performances at 7:30 p.m. April 27 at the Imperial Theatre, 168 Christina St. N, Sarnia and 7:30 p.m. April 28 at McMorran Theatre, 701 McMorran Blvd., Port Huron.

Under the direction of Maestro Douglas Bianchi and Conductor Emeritus Jerome Summers, the ISO will be presenting a mix of popular orchestral literature – some of which is being recycled from the ISO’s inaugural 1958 Season.

The featured work for these gala presentations will be the Dvořák New World Symphony No. 9 in E minor. In 1892, the composer visited America (from Prague), remaining for almost three years as head of the National Conservatory of Music in New York. During his stay in America, he completed this work, which was to become his most memorable.

Jerome Summers(Photo: Courtesy: ISO)

The universally recognized second movement is built around a glorious melody for the English horn over harmonies in the strings.

Previous long-term ISO Conductor, Brian Jackson, will be making a return visit to our communities as a soloist in the poignant Warsaw Concerto (piano) by Addinsell. Written for the film, "Dangerous Moonlight" (and used in many others), at least one musical commentator cited the piece as probably the most symbolic concert piece written in Britain during the Second World War. For those who lived through the period it still stirs very strong emotions.

Jackson emigrated to Canada from England in 1968 to assume the post of conductor of the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra, a position he held through 1972. In 1977 he became the assistant conductor of Orchestra London, continuing through 1981. He also conducted the London Pro Musica choir and was conductor of the International Symphony of Sarnia and Port Huron from 1978 to 1982.

He also served on the music faculty of the University of Western Ontario from 1977 to 1982 and since 1984 taught conducting at Queen's University. He subsequently conducted Orchestras in Kingston, Toronto, Nova Scotia, Winnipeg and British Columbia. An accomplished pianist, his solo shows are still in demand throughout the country.

Brian Jackson(Photo: Courtesy: ISO)

Concertmaster Sander Kostallari will return to the orchestra’s inaugural season with a performance of the nostalgic Kreisler Liebesfreud, (Love’s Joy), a heartfelt piece representing the last vestiges of pre-war Vienna.

This gala Finale will also showcase the full International Symphony Orchestra in several other selections, including: Richard Wagner’s brilliantly composed Die Meistersinger: Prelude; and the vibrant Celebration Overture by Canadian composer, Ronald Royer.

Tickets for the April 27 performance are $35 (Canadian) adults; $33 seniors; and $12 students.Tickets for the April 28 performance are $28 adults; $26 seniors; and $7 students .

Children 14 and younger are admitted free with an adult.

Tickets are available at the ISO Office, 251 North Vidal St., Sarnia; the Port Huron Music Center, 2700 Pine Grove Ave.; by calling (519) 337-7775 or (810) 984-8857; or by email at iso@rivernet.net.

Sander Kostallari(Photo: Courtesy: ISO)

Contact Bob Gross at (810) 989-6263 or rgross@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @RobertGross477.